How Much Are Bearded Dragons at Petco? 2024 Price Update
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Bearded dragons are among the most popular reptiles for pets. That’s not surprising because they are social, curious, and gentle creatures and make excellent pets—if not unusual ones, at least compared to dogs and cats.
If you’ve decided that you would like to make room in your life for a bearded dragon, you’ll need to have an idea of how much a bearded dragon will cost and what you’ll need to care for them. If you have a Petco in your neighborhood, you’ll want to contact it first, as each store will have its own pricing. That said, you can expect to pay about $60 to $100 for a bearded dragon.
In this article, we give you a rough idea of how much a bearded dragon and their supplies will cost and what you actually need to take care of one.
A Little About the Bearded Dragon
Beardies (bearded dragons) are originally from the arid regions of Australia and are commonly found on the ground and in trees. The domesticated beardie can grow an average of 18 to 22 inches but can range from 12 to 24 inches.
They have been known to live for 10 to 15 years, so they are definitely a long-term commitment. Beardies are omnivorous and eat a combination of leafy vegetables and insects. They are active during the day, which is a distinct advantage for beardie owners.
They get their name from the pouch of skin under their chin that can turn black and puff out when they’re threatened or stressed. If you take good care of your beardie, you’ll likely never see this display.
Are Bearded Dragons Good Pets?
They have specific habitat and care requirements, and any prospective owner should research the breed before committing to them. But beardies do make excellent lizard pets, even for beginners. They are friendly and docile creatures and are quite adaptable and relatively easy to care for, provided that you do your research.
They aren’t prone to aggression unless provoked, and you can even form a strong bond with a beardie. Just bear in mind that owning a lizard is quite different from owning a cat or dog. They aren’t exactly cuddly, and you’ll need to learn how to properly handle and pet your beardie.
How Much Do Bearded Dragons Cost at Petco?
There are eight species of bearded lizards and a relatively large variety of different morphs, which are the colors and patterns. Like most pet stores, Petco primarily stocks the most popular species of the bearded dragon, which is the Pogona vitticeps. These beardies are also called Central or Inland Bearded Dragons. They can grow up to 2 feet and be a combination of browns, grays, oranges, reds, whites, or yellows.
However, beardies are available in-store only, so you’ll need to contact or visit the store to determine what types it stocks. Each store will have its own pricing, though you can expect to pay about $60 to $100 for a bearded dragon.
Rare-colored morphs cost much more, but Petco won’t stock these; they’ll likely only be available from bearded dragon breeders.
The 7 Additional Costs to Anticipate
You’ll need to set up various things before you bring home your beardie.
1. Enclosure
For an adult beardie, the tank should be a minimum of 4 to 6 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 to 3 feet high. You can certainly go bigger, but a tank at least this size won’t be prone to overheating. You should aim for a glass tank with a screen top.
2. Substrate
The bottom of the tank must be lined with something safe for your beardie. You can opt for terrarium carpets that are relatively inexpensive and can be washed or replaced. Many bearded dragon owners use newspapers and paper towels, which are easy to clean and throw away.
3. Basking Rock
All beardies need a basking area, which is almost always an elevated rock. It won’t become damaged by the lamp’s heat, and it also absorbs some of the heat, making it a toasty spot for your pet.
4. Heat Lamp
You’ll need a heat lamp that’s placed to shine down on the basking rock. It should be a 40W to 75W bulb, though the strength of the bulb will depend on the size of the enclosure.
Your beardie will also need a cool side in the habitat, so you’ll need thermometers to maintain the right temperature in both areas. The basking area should be about 95°F–105°F, and the rest of the enclosure should be around 80°F.
5. UVB Light
A UVB light will give your beardie the same benefits as the sun, which is necessary for a captive lizard. The ultraviolet rays provide critical vitamin D3 levels; without the light, your beardie can become quite ill. It’s typically placed above the basking area and should provide your beardie with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
6. Food Dishes
You’ll need a shallow food bowl for leafy greens and live mealworms, though beardies also eat live crickets, which won’t stay nicely in the bowl. You should also offer a shallow bowl of water that is always available and clean.
7. Hide
All beardies need a place that’s private and gives them time to be alone. You’ll need to invest in a hide, or if you decide to make your own, it needs to be sturdy and safe. Natural hideaways are preferred over artificial ones.
Conclusion
Taking care of a beardie isn’t that expensive, but you’ll still need to budget for all the initial costs to set things up for your new pet.
You might be looking at $500 or more for the tank and everything else beyond the cost of the bearded dragon themselves, which might be about $50 to $100 at your local Petco.
Just remember to research the bearded dragon before investing in one. These lizards make excellent companions, but you’ll need to know exactly what caring for your new pet entails.
Featured Image Credit: Petco (14958183145 (Mike Mozart, Wikimedia Commons CC 2.0 Generic)
